Air Fryer Recipe
Crispy Curry-Spiced Cauliflower Bites
Curry-spiced cauliflower bites are a treat when their edges are craggy and golden, with a soft interior. The air fryer is ideal for this dish, as it uses convection heat to crisp the batter without submerging the cauliflower in oil, ensuring a light yet satisfying crunch.
Ingredients
- 1 medium cauliflower, about 700–800g whole, trimmed into 500–550g bite-sized florets
- 45g gram flour/chickpea flour (or plain flour if needed)
- 20g cornflour
- 70–90ml cold water, added gradually
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- 1 tbsp neutral oil, plus 1–2 tsp extra for the crumb coating or spraying
- 1 tbsp medium curry powder
- 1 tsp ground cumin
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ½ tsp garlic granules
- ¼–½ tsp chilli powder, to taste
- ¾ tsp fine sea salt, plus a pinch to finish
- 60g panko breadcrumbs (or crushed cornflakes for a gluten-free coating)
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds or nigella seeds, optional
Method
- Cut the cauliflower into compact florets, roughly 3–4cm across, splitting any thick stems lengthways.
- Dry the florets thoroughly with kitchen paper or a clean tea towel.
- Preheat the air fryer to 190°C for 3 minutes.
- In a large bowl, whisk the gram flour, cornflour, curry powder, cumin, ground coriander, turmeric, garlic granules, chilli powder, and salt.
- Add the lemon juice, 1 tbsp oil, and 70ml cold water to the dry ingredients, then whisk to a smooth batter. Add more water a teaspoon at a time until it resembles double cream.
- Add the cauliflower to the batter and toss until every floret is thinly coated.
- Mix the panko with the sesame or nigella seeds, if using, and 1–2 tsp oil.
- Lift the florets from the batter one at a time, let excess drip off, then press into the crumbs.
- Arrange the coated florets in the air-fryer basket in a single layer, leaving small gaps between pieces.
- Air fry at 190°C for 8 minutes, then shake the basket gently or turn the larger pieces with tongs.
- Cook for a further 5–8 minutes, until the cauliflower is tender and the coating is golden.
- Finish with a small pinch of salt and a squeeze of lemon while hot. Rest for 2 minutes before serving.
Nutrition
Calories: 250
